Developing a core repertoire
Sacred music has always been part of my life. As a family, across the generations, we sang hymns and choruses for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a Church with a strong tradition of quality music and congregational song meant that I also sang with my friends and acquaintances.
Most of us have favourite hymns that have special meaning or significance to us and so, to one degree or another, we almost unthinkingly develop a core repertoire; a selection of music that’s both familiar and uplifting. Actively developing and maintaining a core repertoire is, in fact, common practice among musicians across all genres. I believe that this practice translates very readily to family worship and congregational song and, indeed, that it’s fully appropriate. It all comes down to why we sing.
‘Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts.’ (Psalm 145:3-4)
We can see from the words of this wonderful Psalm that we sing in praise of our matchless God. We can use our shared repertoire to declare His greatness and pass on our knowledge of Him to future generations. What’s more, a thoughtful and studied repertoire underlines Scripture and reinforces our understanding of theology so we can sing thoughtfully, worshipfully, with intent and understanding.
‘I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.’ (1 Corinthians 14:15b)
In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul exhorted the congregation to ‘let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.’ (Colossians 3:16)
The purpose of our praise is to bring glory to God but it can also give voice to our gratitude, teach us wisdom and be a means of building up one another. In effect, as a congregation, our core repertoire serves to nurture our faith and our Church community.
Is there a difference between core repertoire for corporate, family and private worship? Yes, I think so but there’s plenty of room for significant overlap. My own personal repertoire tends to be more meditative but it’s good to sing music at home that we expect to sing in church.